How do I reply to Messages on my iPhone 12

Reply to a message

Messages are grouped by conversation in the Messages list. You can reply to any conversation. A dot indicates you haven’t yet read one or more messages in that conversation.

1. Open the Messages app  on your iPhone.
2. In the Messages list, tap the conversation that you want to participate in.
3. Tap the text field, create your message, then tap  to send your message.

Tip: Find out when a message was sent to you. Drag the message bubble to the left to see timestamps for all messages in the conversation.

Send and reply to messages on iPhone - Apple Support

In addition to the helpful advice offered, I’d like to chime in with some additional tips:

Good luck! 👋🏼😉

When you receive a text message hold down that message then hit reply or response from the the little menu the type in the message then send it